"In light of the passing of a respected leader and visionary, I want to offer my prayers in remembrance and cel...

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More thoughts about Mandela

Bishop George V. Murry, Catholic Diocese of Youngstown:"In light of the passing of a respected leader and visionary, I want to offer my prayers in remembrance and celebration for the life and work of Nelson Mandela. As noted in the statement of Pope Francis, we should all recall "the steadfast commitment shown by Nelson Mandela in promoting the human dignity of all the nation's citizens and in forging a new South Africa built on the firm foundations of non-violence, reconciliation, and truth.""Let us pray in thanksgiving to God for the gifts Nelson Mandela shared with the world during his sojourn here on earth."Rep. Jim Renacci, R-Wadsworth:"I am saddened to learn of the passing of President Mandela. The world has lost a true champion for peace, equality, and freedom. A man who led by example, his legacy will live on through his many contributions and all of those whose lives were touched by his inspiring leadership. I send my deepest sympathies to the Mandela family and the people of South Africa."

Nelson Mandela, the legendary anti-apartheid activist who went from being Prisoner No. 46664 to the presidency of South Africa, was a hero to people 'round the world and throughout Stark County and Northeast Ohio.

Mandela, 95, died Thursday.

"What a great Man, and I use the capital 'M' purposely," said Rabbi Jon Adland of Temple Israel.

"He rose above the hate and racism to bring a country forward. He is one of the few that comes along in a generation or a century who sees the stage and steps onto it to make a difference. Though he is no longer living, like other great men he has left a legacy for us to use to continue to better this world in so many ways.

"I mourn his passing and praise what he did."

Vince Watts, president and CEO of the Greater Urban League of Stark County, said Mandela will be sorely missed.

"It was a great loss for the world when President Mandela passed away," he said. "I think his life, both sides of his life, going into prison a militant man and coming out a soft-spoken gentleman, speaks volumes to the world."

But Watts laments that it takes death for people to be more civil.

"Why does it take the death of a man to bring us together?" he asks.

"Why is it that it seems the only time we can speak in civil tones is after a death? ... If I have a thought on the death of President Mandela, it is that I want to live for something that I would be willing to die for."

"Nelson Mandela was remarkable because he was one of the few political leaders in history who not only demonstrated forgiveness in his individual relationships, but was able to encourage and implement a great deal of forgiveness on a political and national level," said Jay Case, who teaches African history at Malone University.

"Most analysts agree that these qualities helped prevent South Africa from spiraling into violence and vengeful policies after the transition from apartheid to multi-racial democracy."

PERSONAL HERO

Julia Shearson, executive director of the Cleveland chapter of CAIR, the Council On Islamic Relations, said she recalls protesting against apartheid as a college student in the 1980s, and later heard Mandela speak when he visited the U.S.

"I was in Oakland, Calif., at a stadium of 50,000 when Mandela came to speak there during his tour of America in the early '90s," Shearson said. "He was a personal hero to me and I believed firmly in his cause.

" ... It is very hard to sum up the life of such a great and noble man. He was the symbol for many faceless others who struggled and died for the right to live a life of dignity."

Page 2 of 2 - Shearson said that although Mandela has died, "his life's work and his cause of standing for justice and equality must live on."

UNUSUAL LEADER

"Mandela was an unusual political leader," said Scott Waalkes, a Malone University professor of political science.

"Not only did he forgive his jailers and the apartheid regime that had oppressed his people, but also he willingly stepped down from power after his first term in office.

"Like George Washington and unlike most political leaders, he did not desire to keep power but gave it up. His willingness to forgive and to give up power made him one of the most important political figures of our time. Our world needs more leaders like him."

"President Mandela went into prison on a principle that he believed in and for 27 years," Watts said. "He stood behind that principle. And from what we know, every day, from his release to his passing, he lived by that principle, all men should be free to pursue their hopes and dreams and aspirations; that there should not be a double standard in society that holds you in esteem and me in disdain; that my labor should be accounted to me as my contribution to our community just as your labor speaks to your contribution; that my life means something, just as your life means something.

"We will mourn President Mandela for a day, for a week and maybe even make him the 'Man of the Year.' But I believe his life will be best remembered if we use it as an example to young people, young men, young black men, who are angry, frustrated, and depressed, to let them know that they can bring about change. And they can do it through living by example."